BRENTWOOD CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Steel Center Spotlight , Medium / Heavy Truck ( Diesel Mechanics ) Mr . Olexa
One of the courses that is growing and is in high demand for jobs in Western Pennsylvania is the Medium / Heavy Truck ( Diesel Mechanics ) program of studies offered at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education . There has been an increase in the demand for diesel mechanics in the area with the increase in the drilling industry . There are also endless career options in the trucking / bussing industry and working with heavy equipment . Steel Center for Career and Technical Education describes this program as , “ A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the specialized maintenance and repair of trucks , buses , and other commercial and industrial vehicles . This includes instruction in diesel engine mechanics , suspension and steering , brake systems , electrical and electronic systems , preventive maintenance inspections , drive trains , HVAC systems , and auxiliary equipment installation and repair .” It is a very comprehensive program that gives students skills that transfer to jobs in the area .
One Brentwood High School senior , Jared Lukens has proved how this program can help to form career options and open doors for opportunities . Jared has been enrolled in the Medium / Heavy Truck ( Diesel Mechanics ) program for three years . He has a passion for diesel mechanics and he is very good at what he does , especially for being a high school senior . Jared just finished in first place in the Skills USA District Competition for Diesel Equipment Technology . He had to complete a compression test on a 4BT diesel engine , do a driveline axel repair , implement an engine diagnostic test and do a brake check . His performance was timed in all of these tests and evaluated by judges . His first place finish has earned him the right to compete in the state competition in Hershey , PA this spring .
Jared really enjoys the program at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education and feels that it has prepared him for his future career . He enjoys the custom projects that he has worked on like building a twelve valve Cummins motor , building a pulling truck and rock crawling motor . Jared stated that the Cummins 4BT motor that he has been working on is rated to push 500 horsepower . Jared strongly believes that the program
Photos by Scott Kane , Advertising and Design , Steel Center
curriculum and the hands on experience has prepared him for his career .
Jared also enlisted in the United States Army with the ambition of being a diesel mechanic in the military . He completed his basic training at the end of his junior year in the summer of 2017 , and is currently serving in the reserves while he finishes high school . He has been accepted to the University of Northwestern Ohio for diesel mechanics . Jared said that the combination of Steel Center for Career and Technical Education , his enlistment in the US Army and his college option have opened doors for him as far as where and how he will use his education . He has the options of going into private industry or pursuing career options within the military . Either way Jared has a plan in place that will secure him employment and stability for his future . Jared is just one exemplary example of what career options are available at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education . rentwood Borough
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ SPRING 2018 57